Everything You Need to Know About Wedding Bands
When you first start the process of shopping for wedding bands, it’s not unusual to have a lot of questions. In this post, we will answer your most frequently asked questions about wedding bands!
What is the Difference Between a Wedding Band and an Engagement Ring?
If you’re new to the world of engagement rings and wedding bands, you might be wondering, “What the heck is the difference?”
The terms “engagement ring” and “wedding ring” are sometimes used interchangeably but they are two very different things.
Just as the name implies, an engagement ring is the ring you present when proposing to your significant other. Traditionally, it’s also the only ring that is worn before the wedding day. Most engagement rings include a center diamond, although there are no hard rules as to what can or cannot be an engagement ring.
What is a Wedding Band?
The wedding ring (or band) is the ring that officially shows that you’re married! These are the rings you exchange at the altar. They are worn by both men and women. Most women wear their wedding bands next to their engagement rings.
Generally speaking, wedding bands are less extravagant (and therefore less expensive) than engagement rings. Women’s wedding bands often include diamonds and sometimes include other gemstones, while men typically choose all-metal bands. Women usually choose a wedding band that complements their engagement ring well since both are worn together after the wedding day.
Do Wedding Bands Have to Match?
Whether or not your wedding bands match each other is entirely up to you! There really is no right or wrong answer when it comes to matching or not matching your wedding bands. However, for several reasons, most couples today do not go with matching bands.
Typically, the bride will want a band that complements her engagement ring, while the groom will want a wider ring that looks nice on its own. Purchasing rings that are exactly alike usually means that one or both of you will be compromising the look you want. If you’re OK with that, then go for it!
But if you don’t like the idea of sacrificing what you want in order to match, here’s the good news. You can both get what you want from your wedding bands and still have rings that complement one another (and will look great in your wedding pictures)! Instead of looking for wedding bands that are exact copies of one other, look for ones that are similar in style or gold color. Your jewelry consultant should be able to help you find the right look that suits both of you.
Can You Wear More Than One Wedding Band?
YES, you can wear more than one wedding band!
Stacking your wedding bands is a very popular trend right now and allows you to create a completely unique look that expresses your personal style. You can start with one or two bands the first year and continue to add on through the years or build your ring stack right from the beginning.
When you stack multiple bands together, you can wear them several different ways. If you want a more subdued look on Monday morning, simply leave a few bands at home. Then, when you're feeling sassy on Saturday night, rock all your bands at once! If you're getting bored with your current look, you can always switch things up by changing the order of your bands. Stacking multiple rings together, experimenting with different looks, and dreaming up all the ways to wear them is just FUN!
How Do You Stack Wedding Bands?
If you’re ready to build your ring stack, here are some tips to help!
- Experiment with mixing different textures and bands in varying widths.
- Don’t be afraid to mix in different gold colors.
- Try different combinations to achieve fresh looks.
- Mix and match classic and modern styles.
- For a more subtle look, stick to diamonds and one color of gold.
- When stacking wedding bands, consider adding new rings on special occasions (such as anniversaries)!
When Is the Best Time to Buy Your Wedding Bands?
The truth is that there really isn’t a “best time” to buy your wedding bands. It is never too early to buy them, so any time is the best time! You know that you will need them eventually, whether you’re getting married this year or years down the road.
Prices don’t go down, so there’s truly no downside to purchasing your wedding bands in advance, even if you aren’t sure when you’ll be tying the knot. In fact, you’ll probably save yourself some money by buying them earlier rather than waiting until closer to your wedding date.
YES! If there is a “best time” to purchase your wedding bands, it’s at the very beginning of your engagement! Setting up a time to come into the store and search for bands together is a great way to celebrate your new engagement. This occasion is also a great way to begin the wedding planning process and have you dreaming about the special day.
How Long Does It Take to Receive Your Band After Purchasing It?
When you purchase your wedding bands, you may expect to leave the store with them that same day. However, this rarely happens.
Many wedding bands need to be resized or special ordered just for you. These turnaround times generally range from one week to six weeks, so it’s best to give yourself a good bit of time prior to your wedding. The latest we would recommend that you start your wedding band search is about 3-4 months before the big day.
(If you decide to custom design your wedding band, you should expect a longer turnaround time.)
What Are the Benefits of Precious Metals vs Alternative Metals in Wedding Bands?
The past decade or so has seen a rise in demand for wedding bands made of alternative metals such as titanium, tungsten, and stainless steel. While precious metal bands are still the most popular choice, we get many questions about the benefits of gold and platinum versus the less-traditional metals. Here’s what you need to know.
Precious Metals
Precious metals, such as gold and platinum, are the most traditional and popular choices for wedding bands and have been for centuries. The benefits of purchasing a gold or platinum ring are that you have a precious piece of jewelry that is valuable and will stand the test of time.
The obvious “downside” to purchasing a wedding band made of precious metal is that you’ll pay more for it. Alternative metals are more widely available and therefore, available in a lower price range.
Precious metals are also generally more susceptible to damage than alternative metals. For example, gold is easily scratched, can be bent, and can break. The good news is that gold is easy to polish, reshape, and fix -- unlike alternative metals. (Read more about this below.)
Alternative Metals
Some of the most common alternative metals for wedding bands are titanium, tungsten, and stainless steel. As mentioned, one of the benefits of purchasing a band in one of these metals is that you’ll pay a lower price for it.
Many people who are interested in alternative metals choose them because they are afraid of damaging a gold ring. It is true that many alternative metals are very strong, meaning they are scratch-resistant, will not bend, and are hard to break.
However, the downside to these “strong metals” is that they cannot be worked on by professional jewelers. So, if you do manage to break your alternative metal ring (which can happen, depending on which metal you choose), there is no way to fix it.
There is also no way to resize these rings. So, if your finger changes size over the years, you will need to get an entirely new ring. Fortunately, some companies that sell alternative metal bands have accounted for this and will allow you to order a new ring from them for a small fee. However, if you’re sentimental about your band and want to wear it forever, you’re much better off with a precious metal ring.
How To Choose The Right Wedding Band For You
When you start your wedding band search, keep a few things in mind: What is your lifestyle? If you are extremely active and concerned about damaging your bands, you may want to consider a stronger metal like platinum. Platinum is a great option for many people because it’s durable (like many of the alternative metals) but it can still be sized and maintained (unlike most alternative metals such as titanium and tungsten).
You also want to consider your personal style and the look you want to create. You will be wearing your wedding band(s) for the rest of your life, so make sure you find ones that you enjoy seeing on your finger!
Come See Us At Koser Jewelers!
If you are in the market for wedding bands, you do not want to miss our Annual Wedding Band Event at Koser Jewelers! It’s happening March 9th through March 11th. We will have hundreds of extra bands, so this is BY FAR the best time to come shopping! Our jewelry experts would love to help you find the perfect rings to symbolize your love and commitment to one another. You can stop in anytime or give us a call at 717-653-4941 to set up an appointment.
